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White House Snub

The absence of Northern Ireland’s party leaders at St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington should serve as a wake-up call

St Patrick’s Day dawns early in the US tomorrow when the taoiseach embarks on the annual round of Irish-themed events in the American capital. Leo Varadkar’s day begins with a breakfast at the home of Mike Pence, the vice-president, before he attends a bilateral meeting at the White House with President Trump followed by the Speaker’s Lunch on Capitol Hill and a return to the White House for the ceremonial handing over of the shamrock at an early-evening reception.

This is dismissed in some quarters as mere paddywhackery, or an uncomfortable lionising of a deeply controversial president. Defenders of the annual ritual contend that it is a golden opportunity to raise matters of Irish concern and promote stronger trade links.